Swinging door control



P 1, 1953 w. s. EDWARDS 2,650,386

swmcmc DOOR CONTROL Filed Jan. 12, 1949 3 Sheets-$11961. I.

INVENTOR Sept. 1, 1953 w. s. EDWARDS SWINGING DOOR CONTROL 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 12, 1949 INVENTOR Patented Sept. 1, 1953 Fsvbi h. .Eliva ds e e te; 93 veel Applipat-ion J a n ary 12, 1949, Serial N 0.;7 0,415 :1 Gla ms- Hi???) invention relates generally to swinging door controls and more particularly to spring actuated dooncontrols whereby the closing-movement of a door, or like swinging member, will she controlled to prevent .undue slamming while linsuringtcomplete and positive closing and latchins Many door closers, checks, and-movement controlling devices for swinging doors, and the like, have beenldevisedand made, actuated by sprin s, ,or hydraulic pressure. Most of these had the .actuatingmeehanism placed under tension when -the.dooriwas.swung openanduponrelease of the .door, acted upon this mechanism to close it. Various .means'are provided in such devices intended :to insure that the door would not unduly slam while being securely closed and latched. Practically all of them, some apparently operat- :ing satisfactory at first, failed to accomplish the results desired. The tension developed; when openingthe doon graduallyincreases as the door approached open position. '-Ih us the greatest urge upon the door 470 close it is when the door -isopen. This closing urge gradually diminishes -;as the ,door approaches [its closed position i thenrislof insufficient-strength to completely close ethe door and caus operation of the door latch. Increasing the tension to insure complete elossing and latching causes slamming of the door.

:One t object of this invention is to provide a :doonor=like, -control device whichwill be placed runder-tenslon-upon the opening of meat ess which-will have 'suii cient strength, as the door lapproaches its closed positiomto completelyend securely close and latch it without undueslarnming.

Another object is to provide in a door, or like, a movement control device, means to store upsupplemental door closing energy during the first -partof the door opening movement, retain this .renerg y during the remaining door openin movement n e a h 9m aprrpechs it closed -.-.position --to release this stored up energy close and latch the door.

Still a t -m e the veri iens 1 pmn- -s nsi doo or lik cvntrql mean =to c1-ose anppenfdoor up to a determinedpoi and means to apply additional doorplosingiorce :to the 'door at this determined point-to insure l-completeelosing and latching of the samef further object. of-this invention is-to provide :an,improvedswinging doon or like, control which mill be relatively inexpensive to manufacture,

esimple inconstruction, compact, of pleasing ap- ;pearance, andtveriy .eflicientsand-durable in use. i

-With these and othe zis ts 11 Mt??? will appear as the descritpion proceeds, tn 1; have been illustrated 111.1. theaqqqmpa, 5 r :ings, several forms in which the teatu and p iples ,of this inven on ma lhe sopvemsstly embodied in practice.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is .a sid view, part thereof inseetion, of a door control embodying ,the I principles of this invention ,and show tively applied to ,a swingable ,dQOr;

Fi ure 2 is a .side viewer the icontmlh wn in Figure 1,;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal seetional yiegv te lgen on the line 33 .of figure l;

li'ig'ure .4 is a cross-sectional view ,talgen on the line 4-4 of Figure '3;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional taken on the line 5--5 .of :Figure .3;

Figurefi is a cross-sectional view talgen qn the line 6 6 'oflfigure 3;

Figure 7 .is a broken longitudinal sectional view similar "to Figure 3 but ofaslightlyfl difi ren 101m of control device;

Figure .8 I is it a cross-sectional view ltalgen on the line 8-4! of Figure 7;

Figure 9 t is a broken longitudinal sectional, view taken .on line 9-9..of Figure 8; V Figure "10 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 40-4 0 of Figure =9;

Figure 1-1 is .a broken zlongitusilinal sectional viewsimilar to Figure 3 but of .a somewhatmodifled form of control means;

Figure 12 is alcross-fiectiflnal view talgen ,on the lin Lu -12st Figure 11 Figure ,113 a rbm en view similar to Figur 3 l;ut hot reverses l aet t u e 2: :Figure lfiisja ctional view of another modlfled iornii door ntrol "embodying the features of invention} Figure}? is an enlarged sectional viewitaken on the line'l-l- 'll-l of Figurelfikwith certainiparts in it another position.

Figure :18is a broken longitudinal sectional view similar to Figure ,3 but "of la modified form of control device;

Figure 19 is a cross-sectional .view taken con the linel:9--t9 ofrEigure-lil;

3 Figure 20 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on the line 2020 of Figur 18; and

Figure 211 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on the line 2I2I of Figure 18.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the several views, the reference numeral I denotes a door, or the like, swingably connected by a hinge II to a door frame I2. The door I0 is provided with the usual latch (not shown) but which securely catches the door when it is closed to retain it in closed position. In some instances 7 the hinge I I may be of the spring type, which acts vupon the door to constantly urge it in closed position. Such a spring hinge,there being many well known forms available, may constitute the door closing means of this invention when thesame is provided. In instances where spring hinges are not provided, the door closing means may be constituted by a spring actuated rod I3, see Figure l, secured to and 'extendingout-wardly from a casing I4, which is pivoted on astationary shaft I5 secured to a bracket I5. The rod I3-is acted upon by a coiled spring H to constantly rotate it and urge the rod I3 toward the door It, due to having one of its ends attached to the casing l4 and its other end attached to the shaft I5, whereby the spring will be wound up and thus placed under tension when the door I0 is opened. The bracket I6 is adapted to be secured to the door frame I2. The rod I3 slides in a tubular casing I8 which is adapted to'be suitably secured to the door In by suitable connections I3 hereinafter described. -Pressure of the rod I3 upon the tubular casing I8, caused by the tension of the coiled spring I'I, wil1 act on the door I0 to give it closing movement. The above structure is generally old and well known.

In a door control structure as above outlined thereis usually provided some means of controlling the sliding movement of the rod I3 through the tubular casing I4 and this means may comprise a-frictionshoe adapted to be pressed against the rod I3. By this means the door closing movementmay be slowed. down to prevent slamming.

It has been found that during .the last portion of the door closing movement the decreased tension of the spring IT, or the spring in the hinge, and the friction of the friction shoe on the rod I3 causing a braking action, results in such a loss in the closing pressure on the door II! that it often fails to close completely and to become securely latched. Even in instances where the friction -'shoe is released from engagement with the rod I4 at the last portion of the door closing movement, the closing spring is not strong enough to completely close and latch the door.

By the inclusion of the features and principles of this invention there is provided an additional source of energy which is adapted to be applied ,to the door closing means to supplement the action of the door closing spring II during the last portion of the door closing movement. Prefer- ,ably this additional energy is applied when the 4 constituted by a spring hinge, or the spring H, the rod I3, and the tubular casing I8,

In the form shown in Figures 3-6 inclusive the rod I3 extends through the tubular casing I8, entering at one end through an end cap 20 and a bearing bushing 2|, and being guided by a half bearing bushing 22 adjacent the other end of the casing I8 and frictionally engaged by' a shoe, or shoes, 23'opposite to the "half bushing 22. The shoes 23. are attached to a leaf spring 24 which is engaged by an adjusting screw 25 by which spring tension of the spring 24 may be regulated to adjust the friction of the bushing 22, and the shoes 23, upon the rod I3. The half bushing 22 is retained in place by the threaded shank 26 of one portion 2'! of the connection I9, a teat 28 extending from the shank 25 into a hole 29 in the half bushing 22. The connection portion 21 is pivoted to another connection portion 3| which is adapted to be attached to the door ID by screws 32 passing through a base member 33. The shoes 23 partially surround the rod I3 and they, with the leaf spring 24, are retained in place by a teat 34 extending from the end of the screw 25 into a hole 35 in the spring 24. The screw 25 and the shank 25 thread into a disc 36 positioned within the tubular casing I8. The rod I3 passes freely through an end cap 31 after leaving the half bearing 22. A I

As shown in Figure 3 a plate member v38 is secured by a pin 33 to the rod I3, the rod being shown in its normal position when the door I!) is in completely closed and latched position, whereby the member 38 lies closely adjacent to the inside end of the cap 20. As the door II] is .opened the rod I3, with the member 38, moves in the direction of the arrows in respect to the casing I8 and, when the door It) is moved into a position substantially twenty degrees open, the rod I 3 and member 38 have moved away from the cap 23 an appreciable amount, approximately three quarters of an inch. Pawls 40 and 4| are pivoted at their rear ends to the plate member 38 by pins 42 and are prevented from swinging inwardly toward each other by being arranged to engage the bottom surface 43 of the slot 44 formed in the member 38 and in which they are disposed. The pawls 40 and 4| extend forwardly away from the member 38 with their forward ends lying in grooves 45 and 43, respectively, formed in a slide member 41. The member 41 is mounted on the rod I3 for sliding movement therealong. A coiled sprin 48 is disposed between the plate member 38 and the slide member 41 and reacts between them to constantly urge them apart. A sleeve 49 is disposed in the tubular casing I8 n front of the slide member 41, being secured at its front end to the casing I8 by rivets 5|. Catches 52 and 53 are mounted on the front face of the slide member 4'! and are constantly urged apart by springs 54, which are retained on the front face of member 41 by screws 55 about which they are wound and with their ends engaging the catches 52 and 53. The catches 52 and 53 are U shaped in cross-section and their side legs 56 ride in cross slots 51 formed in the front face of the member 4". The catch legs 55 extend beyond the base 50, the outer extensions 58 being arranged and formed to protrude beyond the periphery of the slide member 41 and abut against the rear end surfaces 59 of the sleeve 49 to lock the member 4'! against forward movement. The outer surface 61 of the base 50, of'the catches 52 and 53, lies flush with the bottom of the grooves 45 and 46 when the ends of the outer extensions are 'in slide member locking position against the rear end surface 59 of the sleeve 49. l

The front endof each of the pawls M and Ill is provided with an inwardly directed lug 82, and a lug 83 is provided upon the undersurface of each pawl spaced rearwardly from the lug 52- an amount not less than the width of thesllde member 41 at the cylindricaliportionfl thereof where it rides on therod T3. The lugs 62, when moved forwardly by the opening of the door F0, causing movement of the rod, 13 and plate member 38 away from the'end cap 20, ride over the slide member portion '64 and the lugs 63 engage against the rear surface 85 "of the portion 64-. A cam surface 66 formed on the outer surface of each pawl 40 and 4 1 is engaged by the rear end 59 of the sleeve 49, as. the pawls are moved forwardly,

base. 50 of the catches 52 and 53 whereby the catches 52 and 53 are pressed toward each other against spring tension and the outer extensions 58 are withdrawn out of engagement with the sleeve end surfaces 519. Simultaneously with the above action on the catches 52 and 53, the lugs 62 are disposed below the bottom of the slots 45 and 4.6 at the front end of the slide member portion 84 to prevent the slide member 41' movin forwardly on the rod 113 away from the plate member 38. By the engagement of the lugs 63 against the member 41', it is positively moved along the rod [3 with and locked to the member 38 until they reach the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 3, which represents the extreme forward movement of the parts when the door I 3 l is fully opened, for instance, at ninety degrees to its closed position.

At the same time the above operation is taking place the spring 11, or the hinge spring, is being wound up to tension it. When the door is released, after being opened, the spring 11, or the hinge spring, acts through the rod l3- and easing I 8 to. close it, the brake shoes controlling the speed, of such movement. This door closing .movement continues until the door approachesv the twenty degree open point whereat. the spring pressed catches 52 and. 53 raise the pawls 4D and 4| to release the slide member 41 from the looking engagement of the lugs 62, and the. catch extensions 58 snap back. of the sleeve end surface 59 to hold the lide member 41. against movement forwardly. The spring 48 then acts in combination with the, spring 11 against the plate member 31 to force it, and the rod 13, rearwardly at increased energy to. complete the closing and latching of the door II). In installations where the opening of the door l0 moves the rod 13 in the opposite direction to that shown in Figure 3 the plate member 31, pawls 40 and H, slide member 41, and sleeve 49, are reversed in the tubular casing 18 as shown in Figure .13. The action as above described, however, is the same and additional energy is supplied by the spring 48 to insure complete closing and latching of the door 1 ll.

In the form shown by Figures 7, 8, 9, and all of the parts of the control device are the same except the plate member 1i, pawls 12, 13, 14, and 15, and the slide member which isforward of two parts 16 and 11 acted on by springs 18 to urge them apart transversely in respect to the tubular casing i8. As shown in Figure '1, the pawls 12 and 1 3 are pivoted to the plate 1| and extend through slots 19 and 8|, formed in the outer surface of the slide member parts 16 and 11 respectively, and between lips 82 which. extend outwardly from the body portion of the parts 16 iii .Darts 16 and 11 inwardly-and release them from the sleeve. Transversely directed pins 84, extending between the slide member parts 18 and 11, maintain these parts inaligned position.

The pawls 14 and 15-, see Figure 9, are pivoted to the plate member 1t and extend forwardly through slots and 88 formed partly in each of the outer surfaces of, the slide member parts where they oppose each other. The forward end of each pawl 85 and 86 is provided with a lug 81 depending from the undersurface of the pawl, and a lug 88, spaced rearwardly from 'thejlug 81. A camming surface 89 is provided on the outer surface of each pawl and is positioned to be engaged by the rear end of the sleeve 49, when the pawls are moved. forwardly, to lock the respective slide member to the plate member 11, the lug 81 being disposed in front. of the slide member part and the lug 88 being disposed atthe rearof the slide member part. When the slide member parts 16 and 11 are pressed together to release them from the sleeve '49,, the springs 18 are compressed and upon return of the slide member parts to a position to the rear of the sleeve rear end these slide members parts are forced outwardly by said spring 18 to engage the sleeve end in back of same, whereby the spring 48 will act, as in the. previously described form shown in Figures 3, ,4. and 5, to completely close and latch the door l0.

In the form shown in. Figures 11 and 12 the rear end of'a split. sleeve 91 is provided with diametrically opposite tongues, 92 and 93 which are struck out from the material of the sleeve 91 and are sprung inwardly to. present their rear ends 94 in front of a slide member 95, which is slidably mounted on the rod l3. Pawls 9.6 and 91, pivotedto a plate member 98, extend f rwardly therefrom into. slots 99 and 1-08 respectively, which are formed.- .in the slide member 95 at opposite sides thereof. The slots 99 and Hill are maintained in alignment. .wlththe tongues 92 and 83 respectively by means, of a. key 101 fastened to the slide member 95 and extending into a lengthwise slot I02 provided in the sleeve 9!, and which extends the entire length thereof. In some instances, only one pawl 96 and one tongue 92 are required.

Each of the pawls 98 and 91 has an inwardly and angularly projecting finger I83 on its forward end, and a lug I04 extending inwardly from its undersurface and spaced rear-wardly from the finger H13. Fingers I83 engage the sleeve tongues 9-2 and 93, pressing them outwardly out of engagement with the front .end :of the slide member 95 to release it. The fingers ['83 also slide downwardly in front, of the slide member 95 to. lock this member to. the

whereupon the tongues 92 and 33 snap inwardly in. front of the slide member to lock .it against forward movement. The plate member 98 and the rod I3 continue movement rearwardly under urging of the springs I1 and 48 whereby the door I is completely closed and latched. I

In Figure 13 the tubular casing I8 is fastened upon the-inside surface of the door I0 instead of on the outside surface, as shown in Figure 3, thus the rod I3 will move through the casing in a direction opposite to the rod I3, when the casing I8 is mounted as in Figure 3, when the door is swung upon its hinges. Due to this action of the rod I3, the sleeve 49 is disposed with one of its ends abutting the end cap 20 and the plate member 38 is pinned to the rod I3 by the pin 39 intermediate the end caps 20 and 31. By this arrangement the spring 48 is compressed and looked under tension when the door I0 is swung open about twenty degrees and is released when the door is being closedat the twenty degree open position, therod I3 'moving through the casing I8 as indicated by arrows when the door is opened.

In the form shown in Figures 14 and 15 pawls tion of each pawl for disposition in back of the 'rearend of the sleeve 49 to releasably lock the slide member 'IIO against forward movement. Springs II3 react between the pawls I08 and I09 to spread them apart transversely. Rods I I4 and II5 secured to a platemember II6 extend forwardly therefrom and through holes H1 and H8 respectively in the slide member III). A coiled spring II9 reacts between the plate member and the slide member to constantly urge them apart lengthwise of the'tubular casing I8. The forward end of each rod H4 and H5 is smaller in diameter than the rear portion and its axis is oifset upwardly therefrom to provide a camming shoulder I20 on each rod. The camming shoulder'l20 is adapted to engage the respective pawl I08, or I09, upon the bottom surface of the hole II1,or II8, therein, to cam the pawls inwardly and draw the lips II2 away from the rear end of the sleeve 49 and release the slide member I I9 therefrom. Simultaneously with the release of the slide member IIO, the inner edge IZI of each pawl is forced into an annular roove I22 provided in the rod I23, which rod is similar in other respects to the rod I3 of Figures 3, 4 and 5, to lock the slide member III] to the plate member II6. As in the other previously described forms, the reverse movement of the rod I23 draws the slide member IIO rearwardly and when the pawls reach the rear end of the sleeve 49 they will spring outwardly under urge of the springs II3, the lengthwise urge of the spring II9 assisting by causing the pawls to ride on a beveled surface I24 and out of the annular groove I22, whereby the door I0 will be completely closed and latched by the combined energy of springs I1 and H9.

, Strips I25 extending across the front end of the slide member I I0, over the pawls I08 and I09, and riveted to the slide member hold the pawls in place.

In the forms shown in Figures 3, 7, 14 and 18, thesleeve 49 acts as a part, the stationary part connected to the casing I8, of the catch means for the slide member and also as the means to retain the slide member locked to the plate mem- V ber. In Figure 11 the sleeve 9I, due to the tongues 92 and 93, acts as part, the movable part retain the slide member locked to the plate member.

In'the form shown in Figures 16 and 11 a rod I33 is extended from a tubular casing (not shown, but for like use as the casing I8 in Figure 3) andhaving a brake device similar to that shown in Figure 3, including the shoes 23 and the adjusting screw 25, and is secured to a hub member I3I. The hub member I3I is rotatably mounted upon a shaft I32 which extends from one arm I33 to the other arm I34 off a bracket I35 and is secured to the arm I33 by a in I36. The bracket I35 is adapted to be secured to the door frame. A cup shaped'easing' I31 is mounted on the shaft I32 and extends upwardly from the bracket arm I34. An inverted cup shaped cover I38 covers the upper open end of the casing I31 with its side peripheral edge I39 seated upon an annular and outwardly directed shoulder I4I provided on the casing I31. The cover I I38 is mounted on the shaft I32 and engages the bracket arm I33. The casing I31 is held against rotation by a screw I42 passing through the bracket arm I34 and screwed into the bottom of the casing. The cover I38 is free to rotate on the shaft I32, being secured against lengthwise movement away from the casing I31 by a screw I43. The screw I43 passes through an annular slot I44 provided in the side of the cover I 38 and screws into the casing I31. The .ends of the slot I44 limit the rotative movementof the cover I38 on the casing I31.

The hub member I3I is retained on the shaft I32 by a collar I45 which is pinned to the shaft I32 by a pin I46. Between the collar I45 and the hub member I3I is a camming dog I41. The camming dog I41 is secured to the hub member I3I by pins I48. Below the hub member I3I is a cup shaped part I49 which is rotatably mounted on the shaft I32 with its open end facing upwardly. The part I49 is retained on the-shaft I32 by a collar I5I which is secured to the shaft I32 by a pin I52. A coiled spring I53 having one of its ends I54 attached to the hub member I3I and its other end .155 attached to the part I49 surrounds the shaft I32 and is disposed within the cup shaped part I49. The cup shaped part I49 is free to rotate within the casing I31.

'Another coiled spring I56 is disposed in the easing I31 between the bottom of the art I49 and the bottom of the casing I31. The spring I56 surrounds the shaft I32 and has one of its ends I attached to the part I49 and its other end attached to the casing I31. Both springs I53 and I56 are arranged to wind up to be tensioned when the hub member I3I is swung about the shaft I32 in one direction, for instance, when the door is opened.

h The camming dog I41 has peripherally spaced apart tongues I51 and I58 extending outwardly therefrom and, when the hub member I3I is swung the tongue I58 engages a lug 459 extending inwardly from a catch member IEI. The catch member I6I is pivotally mounted upon the upper surface of a side of the cup shaped part I49 by means of a screw I62 which passes, through the catch NH and screws into the part I49. A catch lug I63 extends outwardly from the catch member I6I and is adapted to engage an end I84 of an arcuate cam strip I65 fastened by screws I66 upon the upper surface of the side of the casing I31. A catch finger I61 extends inwardly from the catch member IBI and is peripherally spaced from the catch lug I59. When the door is closed the catch parts are in the position shown in Figure 17. Upon opening the door the locking tongue I51 is swung away from the lug I59 and the tongue I58 moves toward the lug I59. When the tongue I58 engages the lug I59 the catch member II is rotated upon the screw I62 to swing the catch lug I63 inwardly out of engagement with the end I54 of the cam strip I55, and to swing the catch finger I61 in back of the tongue I53, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 17.

The above described action takes place when the door is opened, for instance, about twenty (20) degrees and results in the tensioning of the spring I53. After this amount of opening move ment of the door the spring I53 is locked under tension and the spring I53 is tensioned by further opening of the door. The above is possible due to the locking of the part I49 against rotation by the engagement of the catch lug $63 with the end I64 of the cam strip I55 while the spring I53 is being wound up in tension it. When the movement of the hub member I3! when the door is opened causes the tongue I58 to engage the lug I59 to rotate the catch member ISI and the catch lug IE3 is removed from engagement with the strip end I64 the catch finger I91 swings in back of the tongue I58 to lock the hub member I3I to the cup shaped part I49 with the spring I53 under tension. The catch member I5! is held in this latter position due to the catch lug I63 riding against the inner peripheral surface I68 of the cam strip I85. During the continuance of the door opening movement the spring I55 is wound up to be tensioned.

Upon release of the door to allow it to close, the tensioned spring I56 acts thereon through the part I49, the screw I62, the catch member IISI. the tongue I58, the hub member I31, and the rod I30 to urge the door toward its closed position. When the door is closed to within about twenty degrees of its fully closed positioned the cam member is swung by the urging of the tongue I58 against the catch finger I61 under influence of the tensioned spring I53 to dispose the catch lug I63 into engagement with the strip end Hi4 and to release the tongue I58 from the catch finger I61. The spring I53 now acts upon the hub member I3I to fully close the door and latch it. When the door is fully closed the tongue I5! engages the lug I59 to lock the hub member against further swinging movement. in respect to the part I49.

In the form shown in Figures 18, 19, 20 and 21 the control device comprises a cup shaped member, in this instance composed of a hollow cylindrical part I1I having one of its ends closed by a plate member I12. and secured thereto by a pin [13, which pin passes through the part HI, member I12 and a rod I14. The closed end of the cup shaped member is shown disposed adiacent the endcap 29 and the open end of the member is directed away therefrom along the casing I8. The rod I14 is arranged to slide through the casing I8 and to be slidingly sup ported by the casing end caps 20 and; 31. The

rod I14 is supported Within the casing I8 by a ball bearing I15 held in a disc I16 by a teat I11 formed on the end of a threaded stud I18 extending into the casing from the portion 21 of the connection I9. A friction applying member I19 is adapted to engage the rod I14 directly opposite the'bearing I 15 and be pressed thereagainst by an adjusting screw IBI. The rod I14, in this instance, has a forward portion I 83, a beveled rearwardly directed shoulder I84 being provided at the jointure of these rod portions.

A hollow cylindrical slide member :3

adapted to slide on both rod portions I82 and I83 by having its rear end I86 bored to fit the rod portion I82 and its bore I81 to fit the rod portion I83. The forward end of slide I is enlarged in diameter to provide a head I88. A cross slot I89 is formed in the forward end surface of the head I88. Catchmembers I9I are disposed in the slot I89, one on eachside of the rod I14 at its portion I83. An end plate 992 is secured by screws I93 to the end surface of the head 38 over the catch members I3I to hold them in the slot I 89. When the door I 9 is in closed position the catch members I9I are held laterally extended with their outer ends engaging the rear end of the sleeve 49 thus preventing forward movement of the slide I85 under urge of the spring 49 which reacts between the member I12 and the rear end surface of the slide head I88. Release of the catch members I9I from engagement with the rear-en? of the sleeve 49 is accomplished by the engagement of the forward edge of the cylindrical part I1 I of the cup shaped member with the outer ends of the catch mem-, bers IBI the contacting surfaces being beveled as at I94 and I95 to facilitate this action.

The assembly is such that when the door I9 is opened substantially twenty degrees from its closed position the rod I14 is moved to the right 1n Figure 18. This rod movement causes the cup shaped member (part HI and plate member I12) to move with it to compress the spring 49- between the member I12 and the head I89 of the slide I85, the slide being held stationary with respect to the casing I8 by the engagement of the catch members I9I with the sleeve 49. Substantially simultaneously with the engagement of the internally beveled edge I94 of the part 51! and the externally beveled edge I95 of the catch members I9I, the shoulder I84 on the rod I14 between the rod portions I82 and I83 is in position for the inner ends of the catch members to move inwardly against the rod portion I83 and release the slide I85 from its locked position. to the rear of the sleeve 49 and to lock it to the rod I14 with the spring 48 under tension. Further forward movement of the rod I14 in the casing I8 carries the locked together cup shaped member I1I, I12 and the slide I85 into the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 18, the engagement of the outer ends of the catch members I9I with the internal surface of the sleeve-49 preventing release of the slide I85 from shoulder I84 of the rod I14. When the door is closed and reaches the twenty degree open position, the ten '1 sion of the spring 48 constantly tending to separate the cup shaped member I1I, I12 and the slide I85, the catch members are moved outwardly to be disposed in back of the rear end edge of the sleeve 49 whereby the slide I 85 is released from the rod I14 and the tension of spring 48 is released and acts on completely close and latch it.

' There has been described above several structures for accomplishing the principal object of th s invention whereby additional energy is applied to a door when it is partly closed in order to insure complete and positive closing and latching thereof. In all instances a means for closing the door is provided, with or without braking means. This closing means, in the instances-illustrated, all comprise a spring, either mounted on a bracket and acting on the rod I3, or I30, or as part of a door hinge and acting directly upon the door. This closing means is arranged to be tensioned when the door is opened and to lose its tension as the door is closed the door ID to thereby. To this arrangement, and in combination therewith, there has been provided, by in corporating the features and principles of this invention in the structure, a supplemental source of energy which is tensioned as the door is opened part way, and looked under this tension for the remainder of the door opening movement. Upon release of the door, it is first given a closing movement by the first spring and, when a desired point in its closing movement has been reached, the supplemental, or second, spring is released to act upon the door and by its tension to increase the closing energy and completely close and latch the door. Preferably, though not always required, the supplemental, or second spring, is of greater strength than the first, or usual, door closing spring or other means. By the provision in a door control of the features and principles of this invention a very efficient and durable swinging door, or like, control device isformed.

While there have been shown and described herein several forms in which the features and principles of this invention may be conveniently and practically embodied, it is to be understood that the same may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit and essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiments be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being had to the claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.

Having thus disclosed the invention, what is claimed as new and for which it is desired to obtain Letters Patent, is:

1. In a swinging door control, a first means connected to the door and acted upon by the act of swinging the door in one direction, to be placed under tension, said means acting on the door to swing it toward closed position when the door is released after being opened, a second means connected to the door and acted upon by the act of swinging the door toward open position, to be placed under tension, means to lock the second means under tension when the door is partly open, and means to release the second means for it to act on the door to close and latch it, when the door is partly closed by said first means after it has been released from open position.

2. In a swinging door control, a first means adapted to act upon the door to close it and being connected to the door to be tensioned while the door is being partly opened, means to lock the first means under tension at the partly opened door position, a second means adapted to act upon the door to close it and being connected to the door to be tensioned while the door is further opened, and means to release said locked first means when the door is moved to partly closed position by said second means, to cause completely closing of the door.

3. In a swinging door control, a first means adapted to act upon the door to close it and being connected to the door to be tensioned while the door is being moved into a partly open position, means to lock said first means under door closing tension at the partly open position of the door, a second means adapted to act upon the door to move it toward closed position and being connected to the door to be tensioned while the door is further opened, and means to unlock said first means when the door is partly closed to cause simultaneous closing action of both means upon the door to close it.

4. In combination with a first member mounted for movement toward and away from a second member, a first means to move said first member toward the second member, a second means adapted to be acted upon by said first member, as it moves away from the second member, to tension it for action on the first member to move it toward the second member, means to lock the second means under tension when the first member is moved a determined amount away from the second member, and means to release said locking means when the first member is moved toward said second member a determined amount.

5. In a swinging door control, a first spring means adapted to act upon the door to close it, a second spring means adapted to act upon the door to close it, both of said spring means being connected to said door to be tensioned when the door is opened, one of said spring means being tensioned while the door is being partly opened, means to lock the spring means, tensioned while the door is being partly opened, at a determined point, and means to release the locked tensioned spring means when the door, in closing, reaches the aforesaid determined point.

6. A swinging door control, comprising a bracket attachable to a stationary part, a rod hinged to said bracket, a first spring on said bracket and acting on said rod to swing it and close the door, means to connect the rod to the door, a second spring reacting between the rod and said connecting means and adapted to be placed under tension when the door is partly opened, means to lock the second spring to hold it under tension while the door is further opened, and means to release said second spring locking means to apply its tension to the door after said door is partly closed.

7. In a control for a door swingablein a frame, a bracket attachable to the door frame, a tubular. casing attachable to the door, a rod hinged to said bracket and extending into said casing, a spring reacting between the bracket and the rod to move the door toward its closed position in said frame, a second spring adapted to react between said rod and said casing to move the door toward its closed position, the second spring being tensioned while the door is being partly opened, means to lock the second spring under this tension, and means to release the second spring locking means when the door is partly closed.

8. In a control for a first member movable in respect to a second member, a bracket attachable to the second member, a first part attachable to the first member, a second part movable lengthwise of the first part and pivoted to said bracket, a third part slidable lengthwise along the second part, means to releasably lock the third part to the first part to prevent lengthwise movement of the third part in respect to the first part, spring means reacting between said bracket and said first part to move the first member in respect to the second member in one direction, a second spring means reacting between the second and third parts and tensioned While the first member is moved away from the second member in the one direction, means to lock the second spring under tension and to substantially simultaneously release the third part locking means when the first member is moved in another direction in respect to the second member.

aeeasee 9; In a control for a door swingable in a door" frame, a hollowcasing attachable to the door, a spring pressed rod acting on the casing to swing the door into closed position in the door frame, said rod being attachable to the door frame and extending into said casing, a slide movable lengthwise of said casing on said rod, means to releasably lock said sIlde to said casing, a spring reacting between said rod and said slide and adapted to be tensioned when the rod is moved lengthwise in said casing in one direction, means to lock the rod to said slide when the spring is tensioned and to substantially simultaneously unlock said slide from said casing, said means being adapted to unlock said rod from said slide and to substantially simultaneously lock said slide to said casing when the rod is moved lengthwise in the casing in the other direction.

10. In a control for a door swingable in a door frame, a hollow casing attachable to the door, a spring pressed rod acting on the casing to swing the door into closed position in the door frame, saidrod being attachable to the door frame and extending into said casing, a slide movable lengthwise of said casing on said rod, means to releasably lock said slide to said casing, a spring reacting between said rod and said slide and adapted to be tensioned when the rod is moved lengthwise in said casing in one direction, means to lock the rod to said slide and to act on the means locking said slide to said casing to unlock it when the spring is tensioned, said rod-locking means, when the rod is moved in the other direction, unlocking the slide from the rod and acting to release the means to lock the slide to on the first member to swing the door into closed I position, said second member being attachable to the door frame and extending along said first member, a slide mounted on said second member, a spring reacting between said slide and said second member, means carried by said slide to lock it to said first member when moved in one direction and to lock it to said second member when moved in an opposite direction, and means carried by the second member to act on said locking means to so operate it when the second member is moved in opposite directions.

12. In a control for a dor swingable in a door frame, an arm having an end connected to the door and pivoted at the other end to swing there-. with, a first spring adapted to act on said arm to swing it and the door toward the closed position of the door, a second spring adapted to act on said arm to swing it and the door toward the closed position of the door, both of said springs being tensioned when the door is opened, means to lock said second spring in tensioned condition when the door is partly opened and to release said second spring when the door is partly closed.

13. In a swinging door control, a tubular casing adapted to be mounted to a door, a bracket adapted to be mounted to a door frame, a rod hinged to said bracket and extending into said casing for sliding movement therein, a spring on said bracket acting on said rod to swing it in door closing direction, a slide member in said casing and slidable lengthwise therein, means to releasably catch said slide to prevent its lengthwise movement in said casing, a spring reacting between said rod and said slide, and means carried by said rod and adapted to engage said slide to lock it to said rod and to release said catch member when the rod is moved in a direction toward said siide to tension said second mentioned spring. 1

14. In a swinging door control, a tubular casing adapted to be mounted to a door, a bracket adapted to be mounted to a door frame, a rod hinged to said bracket and extending into said casing for sliding movement therein, a spring on said bracket acting on said rod to swing it in door closing direction, a slide member in said casing: and slidable lengthwise therein, means mounted on said slide cooperating with means carried by said casing to releasably catch said slide to prevent its lengthwise movement in said casing, a spring reacting between said rod and said slide, and means carried by said rod and adapted to engage said slide to lock it to said rod and to release said catch member when the rod is moved in a direction toward said slide to tension said second mentioned spring.

15. In a swinging door control, a tubular casing adapted to be mounted to a door, a bracket adapted to be mounted to a door frame, a rod hinged to said bracket and extending into said casing for sliding movement therein, a spring on said bracket acting on said rod to swing it in door closing direction, a'slide member in said casingand slidable lengthwise therein, means mounted in said casing and cooperating with said slide to releasably catch said slide to prevent its lengthwise movement in said casing, a spring reacting between said rod and said slide, and means carried by said rod and adapted to engage said slide to lock it to said rod and to release said catch member when the rod is moved in a direction toward said slide to tension said second mentioned spring.

16. In a swinging door control, a member adapted to be attached to a door, a bracket adapted to be attached to a door frame, an arm hinged to said bracket and operatively connected to said member, a casing fixedly attached to said bracket, a member rotatably mounted in said casing, a first spring reacting between the arm and the member adapted to be attached to the door, a second spring reacting between said member in said casing and said casing, means to releasably lock the member in said casing to said casing, and means carried by said arm to actuate said means to unlock the member in said casing from said casing and to releasably lock said arm to the member in said casing when the arm is swung in one direction.

17. In a swinging door control, a member adapted to be attached to a door, a bracket adapted to be attached to a door frame, an arm hinged to said bracket and operatively connected to said member, a casing fixedly attached to said bracket, a member rotatably mounted in said casing, a first spring reacting between the arm and the member adapted to be attached to the door, a second spring reacting between said member in said casing and said casing, means to releasably lock the member in said casing to said casing, and means carried by said arm to actuate said means to unlock the member in said casing from said casing and to releasably lock said arm to the member in said casing when the arm is swung in one direction, the means, carried by said arm, engaging the member in said casing and easing locking means to unlock the arm from the member in said casing and lock the member in said casing to the casing when the arm is swung in the other direction.

'18. Ina swinging door control, a member adapted to be attached to a door, a bracket adapted to be attached to a door frame, an arm hinged to said bracket and operatively connected to said member, a casing fixedly attached to said bracket, a member rotatably mounted in said casing, a first spring reacting between the arm and the member adapted to be attached to the door, a second spring reacting between said member in said casing and said casing, means to releasably lock the member in said casing to said casing, and means carried by said arm to actuate said means to unlock the member in said casing from saidcasing and to releasably lock said arm to the member in said casing when the arm is swung in one direction a determined amount to tension said second spring and lock it under tension and to tension said first spring.

j 19. In a swinging door control, a member adapted to be attached to a door, a bracket adapted to be attached to a door frame, an arm hinged to said bracket and operatively connected to said member, a casing fixedly attached to said bracket, a member rotatably mounted in said casing, a first spring reacting between the arm and the member adapted to be attached to the door, a second spring reacting between said member in said casing and said casing, means to reamount to tension said second spring and lock it under tension and to tension said first spring,

the means, carried by said arm, engaging the member in said casing and easing locking means to unlock the arm from the member in said casing and lock the member in said casing to the casing when the arm is swung in the other direction a determined amount by release of the tension in the first spring, to release the tensionin the second spring.

WALTER S. EDWARDS.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,528,195 Bush Mar. 3, 1925 1,671,614 Smith May 29, 1928 1,705,820 Lansing Mar. 19, 1929 2,063,526 Snowdon Dec. 8, 1936 2,167,409 vSchmidt; July 25, 1939 2,411,481 Tykeson Nov. 19, 1946 

